How to bring wellness into any space, on any budget

Make your house feel like a home

Whether you work from home, can’t quite nail the Feng Shui of your living room, or feel like you’re drowning in your kids’ clutter, it’s likely your home could use an infusion of wellness to balance the chaos of life. Here are a few ways to bring a sense of zen (and some much-needed me time) to every corner of your space. 

During the dreaded days of lockdown, our homes – no matter how cramped – became multipurpose spaces for our day-to-day dealings. Dining tables were transformed into makeshift office spaces, and kitchen benches into classrooms. 

We ate in for every meal, grocery shopped from the comfort of our couches and rolled out a yoga mat on the floor of our bedrooms anytime our backs felt stiff or our minds overwhelmed. 

But with so much going on at once, prioritising our wellness routines became a thing of the past, muted by the chaos of our busy lives. 

Now, years on, our homes – and routines – likely still carry a few scars from the strange bubble of lockdown. If you’re like me, and can’t quite put your finger on why your home space feels like it’s lacking a sense of zen, then read on. 

Whether you have a balcony or an entire spare room to get creative with, or simply a dedicated reading nook in the corner of your living room, setting up an unintentional area dedicated to wellness (whatever that looks like to you) can do wonders for your well-being. 

But, what are you supposed to fill that space with, and how?

Unlike me, some people are born with a natural knack for decorating a space, knowing what pieces of furniture, textures and trimmings go together. Mariah Burton – interior designer, co-founder and director of Folk Studio – is undeniably one of those people. 

And, as Burton explains, transforming your home into a haven of wellness doesn’t always require a total overhaul of your belongings (and bank account). 

“Creating a wellness area in your home is a wonderful luxury, but it doesn’t have to be a dedicated room. It can be as simple as a cozy corner for yoga, a one-person infrared sauna, or a serene reading nook,” Burton says. 

“Tailor this space to fit your lifestyle, ensuring it brings you peace and relaxation. Having a designated area that instantly calms you is essential for your overall well-being.”

Embellishments maketh the room. Image: iStock

Mariah’s three budget-friendly design tips

#1. Nail the lighting, nail the mood

If there’s one thing Burton says is a must-have for a relaxing space, it’s appropriate lighting, “Having a mix of mood lighting and functional lighting is so vital for creating an ambient home,” she explains. 

“When combined with other lighting elements, like task and accent lighting, ambient lighting contributes to a cohesive and harmonious interior. Essentially, it sets the stage for how the space feels and in turn, is incredibly important to allow you to relax.”

#2. Embellishments maketh the room

Don't have a massive budget to play around with? That’s no problem, Burton says, pointing out that sometimes the smallest additions can do the heaviest lifting when it comes to setting the tone. 

“I absolutely love beautiful organic cotton towels and robes, as well as elevated skincare products like hand soap, face serums and creams,” she says. “These simple pleasures help elevate your day-to-day wellness at home and add a sense of luxury to your daily rituals.”

#3. Don’t underestimate scale and the overall aesthetic 

According to Burton, many people forget to think about scale when buying beautiful items for their homes. “They may see something online or in a store and fail to consider how it will fit in their own space,” she explains. 

“While some items might technically fit in a room, simply fitting doesn’t mean they are proportionate to the space. The right scale is crucial for ensuring that an item complements the room’s overall balance and aesthetic.”

But, as game-changing as these budget-friendly pillars of design are, it’s important to acknowledge wellness looks and feels differently for everyone. 

While elevating your wellness game with a good scented candle, cotton throw or coffee table book is certainly possible, there are a few big-ticket investment pieces – depending on your taste and lifestyle – that could transform your space entirely. 

Curl up in the perfect reading nook with:

Janelle Bouclé Accent Chair, $589 from luxoliving.com.au

Janelle Bouclé Accent Chair

What could fast-track you to total relaxation after a long day in the office better than this idyllic reading nook must-have? Not a lot. Not only does this bouclé armchair offer luxurious texture and stunning visual appeal, but it’s also compact enough to fit in a variety of spaces. 

Pair the inviting armchair with your monthly read, a scented candle and some ambient music, and suddenly you’ve made yourself your very own zen den. 

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Sweat out your stress with:

Taavi 2-Person Ceramic Infrared Home Sauna, $2,399 from luxoliving.com.au

Taavi 2-Person Ceramic Infrared Home Sauna

Designed for indoor use, with non-allergenic wood resistant to cracking and warping, this 2-person sauna unit is the ideal wellness splurge for anyone who spends a lot of time (and money) at their local spa or health club. 

In addition to elevating a space with its stunning aesthetic and offering the scientifically proven health benefits of infrared heat, this sauna unit is totally compatible with modern use, with built-in digital controls and internal speakers. 

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Invest in your Pilates era with:

Your Reformer YR Original, $2,995 from yourreformer.com.au

Your Reformer YR Original

Obviously, purchasing your own reformer machine is a pricey investment, but if you’re a Pilates lover like me (with an unlimited membership making a dent in your savings every week) it may be oh-so-worth it. There are also rental options available with the beds if you prefer to see how the machine fits (figuratively, and literally) into your wellness space before taking the plunge. 

Whether you’re an experienced planker and want to freestyle it with the machine’s many included props, or prefer to zone out and follow a guided workout (yes, Your Reformer has an on-demand app library too), being able to jump on whenever you please, in the comfort of your own home is a surefire way to destress and find calm. 

If a slow burn isn't quite your style, there are plenty of other great pieces of in-house workout equipment that could elevate your wellness space. 

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Get the blood and endorphins pumping with:

Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One Smart Trainer, $899.95 from au.wahoofitness.com

Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One Smart Trainer

If sweating up a storm is your favourite way to give your body, mind and soul a little TLC, something like the Wahoo Kickr Core Smart Trainer is a worthy investment for the ultra-fit (or those on their way). 

Compatible with most road, mountain and cross gravel wheels, the Kickr Core Smart Trainer takes up far less room than a bulky treadmill and is by far a safer and more time-efficient way to clock up the kms during the hot summer months ahead (i.e. smash your Strava PBs without having to constantly dodge heatstroke or distracted P-Platers on the roads).

“Just remove your bike's back wheel, mount it on the smart trainer, and enjoy outdoor riding from your living room in minutes. It’s tool-free and compatible with most 8-12 speed bikes, so you can easily swap in family or friends’ bikes,” explains Wes Sulzberger, Zwift ANZ Country Manager. 

Hooking up the apparatus to an indoor cycling app such as Zwift, the luxury of pricey smart bikes and one-on-one coaching is made available to any rider, at any time. In other words –the perfect wellness addition for those who love to get their heart rate up.

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Originally published as How to bring wellness into any space, on any budget